PICKENS COUNTY — People who were worried about being denied entry to board flights because of inadequate identification can breathe a sigh of relief now as S.C. residents are able to begin the early paperwork to get their very own REAL ID.
After a few years of holding out on the federal issue, the Palmetto State is now complying with the law requiring driver’s licenses that are more difficult to forge and have shorter expiration dates.
Gov. Henry McMaster signed a bill into law in April mandating the new licenses — a decision that came after lawmakers scrambled to revise previous legislation that banned such compliance when it was learned that states not compliant with REAL ID would be denied boarding passes on domestic flights and entry into military bases without a second form of ID.
Several extensions were granted to the state that had been dragging its heels on the issue for some time.
Although the new licenses are not required right away — S.C. officials expect extensions through 2020 — some residents wanting to get a jump on the process will now be able to.
Starting May 15, South Carolinians can begin applying for the new federally compliant driver’s licenses and state IDs. But the process is entirely voluntary: no person is required to own an updated REAL ID.
In fact, unless you’re planning to fly or plan to enter a secure federal building or military bases — you can still use your current license much as before: to drive, vote and receive government benefits.
According to the DMV, in order to apply for a REAL ID you need a birth certificate or unexpired U.S. passport, Social Security card, pay stub or W-2 form in addition to a current unexpired driver’s license and either a utility bill, pay stub, mortgage statement, Social Security check or a bank statement.
A full list of accepted documents is available at www.scdmvonline.com.